LATEST NEWS
July 1, 2004
Boat sales up 20% across America
As the U.S. economy improves, more Americans feel they can afford to buy a
boat. The National Marine Manufacturers Association reports unit sales are up
19.8 percent and wholesale dollars made from boat sales are up 20.8 percent,
comparing first quarter sales figures to the same time last year.


The trade association, which represents companies that manufacture an estimated
80 percent of marine products used in North America, characterized the winter
figures as " positive early indicators for significant growth in the boating
industry in 2004."

"The boating industry will continue to benefit from Americans' renewed emphasis
on spending quality time with family and friends," said NMMA President Thom
Dammrich. "A favorable economy, rising consumer sentiment and continued low
interest rates are also playing important roles in attracting more people to
boating. Increased attendance at major boat shows is another very positive
signal."

There are more than 1.4 million recreational boat registrations in the Pacific
region, compared to 1 million in the Mid-Atlantic states and 2.5 million in the
Southeast.

All segments showed positive gains:

Inboard cruisers up 20 percent;
Outboard boats up 14 percent;
Jet drive boats up 32 percent;
Stern drive boats up 5 percent;
Personal watercraft (Jet Skis and competitors) up 3 percent.
There are about 15,000 boats in the Hawaiian Islands, with roughly 1,000 new
ones sold annually to replace older ones or add to the state roster.

U.S. retail expenditures on boating-related goods and services were
approximately $30 billion in 2003, down one percent from 2002, according to
NMMA.



© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.

On 12 Oct 2004 01:28:54 GMT, (RGrew176) wrote:

LATEST NEWS
July 1, 2004
Boat sales up 20% across America
As the U.S. economy improves, more Americans feel they can afford to buy a
boat. The National Marine Manufacturers Association reports unit sales are up
19.8 percent and wholesale dollars made from boat sales are up 20.8 percent,
comparing first quarter sales figures to the same time last year.

Yep - it got real hot May/June and part of July, but most of those
were low end or entry level boats and PWCs.

I know some dealers who haven't sold a single boat since July and are
sitting on a ton of used trade, consignment and new boats.

I know one dealer who is still sitting on 2002/03 inventory.

And take a look at the used boat market. It's getting so
overburdened, that unique and interesting boats are getting lost in
the mass of lesser boats.

When I went to look at that Master Marine today, I talked to the
marina owner who told me all the boats up on the hard for sale had all
been there for more than two years and he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

All the best,

Tom
--------------

"What the hell's the deal with this newsgroup...
is there a computer terminal in the day room of
some looney bin somewhere?"

Bilgeman - circa 2004

From: Short Wave Sportfishing

And take a look at the used boat market. It's getting so
overburdened, that unique and interesting boats are getting lost in
the mass of lesser boats.

I would have to agree, there are thousands of used boats for sale here, it's a
buyers market that is certain.

When I went to look at that Master Marine today, I talked to the
marina owner who told me all the boats up on the hard for sale had all
been there for more than two years and he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

All the best,

Tom


I'm casually looking for a used Four Winns Fling-type jet boat for our
kids to use when we "old folks" are out w/ our Carver. Called a Great
Lakes' dealer earlier this week on a posting he had on the Internet.
During our conversation he mentioned that the boat had been sitting in
their inventory for over two years! I'm thinking a snowy day in late
November might be a good time to make an offer!

Coff

On 12 Oct 2004 06:18:36 -0700, (Coff) wrote:

When I went to look at that Master Marine today, I talked to the
marina owner who told me all the boats up on the hard for sale had all
been there for more than two years and he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

I'm casually looking for a used Four Winns Fling-type jet boat for our
kids to use when we "old folks" are out w/ our Carver. Called a Great
Lakes' dealer earlier this week on a posting he had on the Internet.
During our conversation he mentioned that the boat had been sitting in
their inventory for over two years! I'm thinking a snowy day in late
November might be a good time to make an offer!

If you can get an owner who is reasonable. Some of these owners don't
want to sell any less than 1% under their asking price.

But to give you another example, I decided a two months ago that if I
couldn't find another boat in the 23/24 foot range that I liked, I'd
sell my 2000 20' Ranger CC and buy a new 2300 Ranger.

My 20 footer has been for sale for two months, has had over 3,000
views on boats.com and not a bite.

Here's the kicker - T-top, full electronics, trailer, up-to-date
engine mods - it's up for $18,500 - I'm giving the freakin' thing
away.

3000 views and not a bite. None.

If I can't sell that Ranger for $18,500 (that's a dump it figure also
- it's insured value is $26,000), there's something wrong.

Later,

Tom
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

When I went to look at that Master Marine today, I talked to the
marina owner who told me all the boats up on the hard for sale had all
been there for more than two years and he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

With salesmanship like that, little wonder.

On 12 Oct 2004 15:24:39 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

When I went to look at that Master Marine today, I talked to the
marina owner who told me all the boats up on the hard for sale had all
been there for more than two years and he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

With salesmanship like that, little wonder.

It was more along the lines of the current owner had a heart attack
and he can't take care of it anymore - the point was that it was up
for sale and had been for three years.

I'm still mulling a fair offer for it.

Take care.

Tom

"The beatings will stop when morale improves."
E. Teach, 1717

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 01:44:37 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

.... he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

That's got to be one of the most ignorant things a salesman could say.
With an attitude like that, it's no wonder he's got a lot full of
boats that aren't selling.

bb

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 12:52:48 GMT, bb wrote:

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 01:44:37 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

.... he really hoped I liked this
boat because it had been for sale for three years.

That's got to be one of the most ignorant things a salesman could say.
With an attitude like that, it's no wonder he's got a lot full of
boats that aren't selling.

You weren't there, you don't understand the context in which it was
said and I'm not going to explain it again.

Take care.

Tom

"The beatings will stop when morale improves."
E. Teach, 1717

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 23:23:04 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

You weren't there,

I'm well aware that I wasn't there. I'm fairly sure no one else that
responded to your post was there either.

you don't understand the context in which it was
said

I was only replying to what you posted. If there was more context
that needed to be considered, it should have been included in your
post.

and I'm not going to explain it again.

You don't need to explain it again. I have read the other posts in
the thread. For whatever reason, my post didn't show up until well
after I had sent it. By that time others had made the same comment
about the salesman's statement.

Take care.

Yeah, you too.

bb